Foldable cot



P. SPROLL FOLDABLE COT Feb 22, 1949.

Filed July 20, 1946 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to folding or convertible cots.

Broadly, it is an object of my invention to provide a cot or bed structure which can be folded into a compact unit occupying little space and which is inexpensive to produce.

More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide a folding cot or frame which can be easily and readily opened or closed and within which a box spring and mattress can rest.

A further object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive foldable cot and a removable laced frame upon which a mattress or the like can be placed and which, when unused, can be easily stored occupying a narrow space.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of my invention, reference is had to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective View showing the cot in open position ready for receiving a frame or box spring.

Figure 2 is a top view of same.

Figure 3 is an end View, partly broken away, showing a box spring and mattress resting upon the cot.

Figure 4 shows a corner of a frame having lacings nailed thereto which sets within the framework of the cot and upon which a mattress, blankets, or the like can be placed.

Figure 5 shows a corner of the inside frame of the cot showing the slat which acts as a rest and stop for the frame shown in Figure 4 or the box spring shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, numeral i9 is a frame, rectangular in shape, and having a strip l i running around the inside of the frame W; said strip being lower than the upper edge l2 of the frame Iii. At the center between the two long sides of the frame i8 there is a circular member i3 attached at the central portion of which there are pivoted members M and i5. These members have notches l6 and I1, and I8 and 59, respectively. Circular members and 2| are fixed between the long sides of the frame Ill by the short ends 2fl--22 and the circular member I3. The circular members 20 "and 2i project through the long sides of the frame H] and leg members 23-23 are pivoted on the projecting portions of members 20 and 2!. At the bottom 2 of leg members 23, circular members 24 are attached. At each end of the long sides of frame Hi there are notches 25.

When the cot is in folded position the central members 14 and I5 are folded upward parallel to the long sides of frame Ill so that the notches i5 and i8 rest upon the circular members 20 and 2|, respectively. The leg members 23 are pivoted upwardly so that the circular members 24 fall within the notches 25 adjacent the ends of the long sides of the frame ID. The top view shown in Figure 2 shows the cot in folded position. When in this position the thickness of the cot and all its members are virtually the height of the frame 10. It can thus be seen that the frame may be easily stored since it occupies a minimum of space and since the average cot is no longer than 6'6". The cot, in folded position can be readily placed within the average closet, the door of which is generally 7 high. Should the closet door be lower, it is a simple matter, because of its narrow widthfto place the cot into the closet by tilting it at an angle. It is within the realm of this invention to provide hinges in the center portion of the long sides of the cot so that the cot may be folded at its central portion (not shown) so that the cot may be folded one half its length, that is, approximately 3'3, and in this manner not only can the cot in this folded position be inserted in a smaller space, but can be taken along on motor trips, if desired.

In order to open the cot, the central members l4 and iii are moved downwardly so that the circular members 20 and 2! come out of the notches i5 and !8, respectively. lhe leg members 23 are lowered so'that the circular members 24 come out of the notches 25; The central members 14 and I5 are then positioned so that the notches i! and iii are placed upon the central portion of the circular members 24, thus preventing the leg members from moving either outwardly or inwardly and retaining the position shown in Figure 1.

A box spring 26 may be placed within the frame In so that the bottom edges 2'! rest upon the top of the strips H running around the inside frame Hl. Since the strips I lare below the top edges l2 of the frame It] the box spring 26 is prevented from shiftingin any direction. A

mattress 28 may be placed on top of the box spring and the cot prepared for sleeping.

Instead of the box spring and 'mattress, I have provided a frame which has a series of interlaced strips 30 and 3f in the form of a basket weave, the ends of which run around the framework 29 and are nailed or fastened on the inside of the frame 29. The frame 29 shown in Figure 4 is placed within the frame I resting upon the inner strips N. This combination of laced framework, as shown in Figure 4, and the folding cot shown in Figure 1 together occupy a minimum of space. Either a mattress or blankets may be placed upon the lacings and 3| shown in Figure 4 so that the (:01 can be used for a variety of purposes, such as sleeping, sunning, etc.

It can be readily seen that the frame and sup.-v port shown in Figures 1 and 4 respectively can'be made of wood. It is obvious that metal and other like materials may be used for my type of construction. While I have shown both the folding cot and framework shown in Figure 4 of wood construction, it is an easy matter to adapt the, same for metal and other materials. Of course, if adapted to a metal construction the framework; may be hollow so that the frame maybe both light and durable at the same time being sumciently sturdy to retain a person of more than the average weight.

The lacings 30 and 3,.I shown in Figure 4, may be made of leather strips, plastic material, or the like.

Lt canbe readily seen that both a cot and a laced framework asshown in Figures 1 and 4. are easily kept clean since all the parts are readily accessible for dusting and antiseptic fluids.

It is further obvious. that both head and foot boards canbe provided by providing slatted members which can pivot inwardly between the long sides of the frame l0. However, I did not believe it necessary to show such a construction since it would be obvious to anyone skilled in the art, It is further obvious that various changes and modifications may-be made in the details of constructionwithout departing from the general spirit; of the invention,

I claim.

1. In a folding cot of the character described, a rectangular frame of uniform size, strips of uniform height running around the. inside of the said frame, the top. of said strips being below the top of said frame to act as. a stop and rest for a laced frame or box spring, acentral member attached at the central portion of the long sidesof the said frame, supports pivoting in the central portion of said central member, said supports having notches adjacent the ends thereof and reverse notches spaced from said notches, circular rods adjacent the ends of said frame. andpassing through the long sides of said frame, legs on either side of said rods. andpivoted upon the projecting ends of said rods, said legs having a circular rod attached between the ends of: said legs, notches at the longsides of said frame and adjacent the ends thereof, whereby when said legs are pivoted against said frame, therodsbetween said legs fall within the notches in the ends of said frame and when said. pivoted supporting members pivot upwardly; the notchesv of said supporting members receive said circular rods adjacent the ends of said frame to providea compact folding cot.

2.. A foldable cot ofthecharacterdescribed having a rectangularframe, notches adjacentthe ends of the long sides of said frame, three circular rods attached to the long sides of said frame, one of said rods being centrally located and the other two of said rods located between said central rod and the short ends of said frame, a pair of opposing supporting members pivoted upon said central rods, said supporting members having notches, in the ends thereof and reverse notches spaced from said notches, a pair of opposed legs adjacent each end pivoting upon the rods adjacent the short ends of said frame, rods passing between the lower ends of saidlegs,

whereby when said cot is. in' open position the notches in the ends of said supporting members receive the rods between the lower ends of said legs retaining said legs infirm and unmovable position and when said cot is in folded position the reverse notches of said supporting members receive the two rods adjacent the ends of said J frame, and the notches adjacent the ends of ing notches in the ends-thereof and; reverse notches spaced from said notches, a pa r f opposed legs adjacent each endxpivoting upon the rods adjacent the: short endsef said frame, rods passing between the lower endsof said legs, whereby when said cot is in open position the notches in the ends of saidv supporting, members receive the rods between the lowerends of said legs retaining said legs in firm ,and unmovable position and when said cot is in, folded position the reverse notches of said supporting members receive the two rods; adjaeent the end-spfjsaid 7 frame, and the notches adjacent theends of said long sides receive the rods between the ends of said legs to provide a compact foldablecot, a sup,- porting frame adapted to fit within saidframe and rest upon the said inner strip of said; frame, said supporting frame. having interlaced strips at right angles to each other, said strips running over the edges at right angles to each other id strips running over the edges of said support n frame, the ends ofsaid strips. being attached to the inside of the said supporting frame to. prof vide a surface for a mattress, blankets orthe like, .4. A foldable cot of the character described having a rectangular frame,'n otches adjacent the ends of the lo-ngsides of said frame, three cireular rods attached to the'long Sides; ofsadframa one. of said rods being centrally lccated other two of said. rods locatedbetween tral-rodi andthe shortendsof said; frame of ppo suppo tin em e s. 1 said central rods, said supporting members; ing notches in the ends thereof, and; everse notches spaced from said notches, a pair ef; op.- posed legs adjacent each end pivoting uDQn: the

rods; adja nt. t Sheri ends oi: sa d sa aried;

passing between the lower ends of; said legs, whereby when said cot; isin open position, the notches in the ends of; said supporting; membe gs e e d ween he lever;- endsw i legsv r tain a es firm. and u m vabl position and when said, cot, in foldedpesition the reverse no he of, ai screening: hers uses, ha e 5 receive the two rods adjacent the ends of said frame and the notches adjacent the ends of said long sides receive the rods between the ends of said legs to provide a compact foldable cot, a supporting frame having interlaced strips running at right angles to each other, the ends of said strips running over the edges of said frame and being attached to the inside surface of said frame.

PAUL SPROLL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 10 Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Camp Apr. 7, 1885 Wood Nov. 24, 1896 Anselm Aug. 15, 1922 Kovalchuk Apr. 7, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Mar. 16, 1935 

